LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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Ijome College Series. 




Number 



Nineteen. 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 



REV. J. I. BOSWELL. 



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NEW YORK: 
PHILLIPS & HUNT 

CINCINNATI: 
WALDEN & STOWE. 

I88 3 . 







The "Home College Series'' will contain one hundred short papers on 
a wide range of subjects — biographical, historical, scientific, literary, domes- 
tic, political, and religious. Indeed, the religious tone will characterize all 
of them. The}' are written for every body — for all whose leisure is limited, 
but who desire to use the minutes for the enrichment of life. 

These papers contain seeds from the best gardens in all the world of 
human knowledge, and if dropped wisely into good soil, will bring forth 
harvests of beauty and value. 

They are for the young — especially for young people (and older people, 
too) who are out of the schools, who are full of ''business" and "cares," 
who are in danger of reading nothing, or of reading a sensational literature 
that is worse than nothing. 

One of these papers a week read over and over, thought and talked about 
at "odd times," will give in one year a vast fund of information, an intel- 
lectual quickening, worth even more than the mere knowledge acquired, a 
taste for solid reading, many hours of simple and wholesome pleasure, and 
ability to talk intelligently and helpfully to one's friends. 

Pastors may organize " Home College " classes, or " Lyceum Reading 
Unions," or "-Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circles," aud help the 
young people to read and think and talk and live to worthier purpose. 

A youug man may have his own little " college " all by himself, read this 
series of tracts one after the other, (there will soon be one hundred of them 
ready,) examine himself on them by the " Thought-Outline to Help the Mem- 
ory,' - and thus gain knowledge, and> what ia better, a love of knowledge. 

And what a young man may do in this respect, a young woman, and both 
old men and old women, may do. 



J. H. Vincent. 



New York, Jan., 1838. 



Copyright, 18S3, by Phillips & Hcnt, New York. 



6 §a\m (follegpe Series... ftumber Itmeieeit, 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 



CHINA. 

After a voyage through the inland sea of Japan — the 
most beautiful sea voyage in the world — and then eighty 
miles up the Pearl River, the steamer anchors at Canton. 
It is here that one gets his first view of Chinese life. 

Canton, — The city is inclosed by a brick wall six miles in 
circumference. The streets are long and narrow, and the 
houses are in general but two stories high. On the ground 
floor are the shops filled with productions from every clime; 
and numerous eating-houses, where cats, dogs, rats, owls, 
and other delicacies are served up. The population num- 
bers about a million and a half of persons, and along the 
river, for four or five miles, are boats and vessels in which 
many families dwell. In the middle of the stream are the 
Chinese junks, or trading-ships, which go to the numerous 
towns on the coast. There are about 120 temples, but they 
are not of especial interest. They are gloomy looking 
structures, and the place in front of them is filled with 
traders and beggars. This city was the first one in China 
opened to European commerce. In the year 1634 an En- 
glish ship visited Canton, and in 1667 tea was first imported 
to England. From this date to 1834 the powerful East India 
Company held a monopoly of the trade. The opposition 
of the Chinese government led to war with England, which 
ended in the treaty of 1842, in which four additional ports 
were opened, and foreigners were permitted to enter Canton. 

China. — The Empire of China is of vast extent, and em- 
braces the dependencies of Manchuria, Mongolia, and Tibet. 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 



It comprises one third of the continent of Asia, and one 
ninth of the dry land of the globe. China proper is about 
one half of the empire, and is 1,500 miles long by about 
1,400 miles in width, and its area is said to contain a million 
and a half square miles. The greater part of China proper 
is a vast rolling plain watered by three great rivers, and of 
wonderful fertility. Local famines occur, but these can be 
relieved by good roads and proper means of transportation. 
Rice and tea are raised in great abundance, and the culture 
of silk has been carried on from a remote period. In the 
western portion of China are ranges of mountains which sub- 
side into hills as they near the eastern- provinces. The min- 
eral resources are abundant. Iron is found in great purity, 
and there is a coal-field near the iron region which it is 
thought could supply the entire world for several thousand 
years at the present rate of consumption. 

The rivers are numerous, and form the best and most 
frequented highways of travel. The two largest are the 
Hoang-ho, or Yellow River, and the Yang-tse-Kiang. The 
first-named river courses through the great eastern plain, 
and in time of flood often changes its course, spreading 
desolation. It has been called " the sorrow of China," and 
will deserve that name until the science of the engineer 
controls its channel. Its navigation is impeded by numerous 
shoals. Far more valuable is the Yang-tse-Kiang, which 
flows for 2,900 miles, and then empties into the Yellow Sea. 
Steamers sail up this river a distance of 1,200 miles. 

Canals are of early construction. The most important is 
the one known in Europe as the Grand Canal. It was built 
in 1289, and is about one thousand miles in length. The 
roads of China are well built, but the method of travel is 
slow. The great highway lies along the fortieth parallel, and 
is eighty feet in width. It stretches from the Caspian Sea 
through Turkestan, and over the desert to the west end 
of the Great Wall. Thence it leads to the ancient capital of 



CHINA AND JAPAN 



Singan, and thence to Peking, the modern capital. For 
centuries this road was the only way from China to the rest 
of the world. It was once lined with cities, and along it 
commerce traveled. The route to China is now by water ; 
but when the barriers China has raised are broken clown, the 
railroad will carry the tea of Amoy and the silks of Honan 
to the markets of Europe. 

There are few public buildings to attract the tourist. 
The "Great Wall" is the most wonderful monument of hu- 
man industry. It stretches for 1,500 miles, bridging rivers, 
crossing mountains, and fortified with brick towers at regu- 
lar intervals. It is twenty-five feet high and twenty feet 
thick, and was built 2,000 years ago to keep out the Tartar 
hosts. It, however, failed of its purpose. 

History. — The history of China goes back to an early 
period, but fails to account for the origin of the race. Wan- 
derers from some unknown land came to the Yellow River 
and settled in its fertile valley. They were at first herds- 
men, and then farmers. According to fables, one leader 
taught them to build huts, another to produce fire, another 
to register time by a knotted cord, and another invented 
the plow. To a woman — a queen — is ascribed the merit of 
discovering the silk produced by the worm, and of working 
it into a garment. 

The mist of obscurity begins to break with the reign of 
Yaou, (2356 B. C.,) at which point the history of Confucius 
begins. The nation now advanced swiftly in wealth and in 
the arts of life. Lands were drained, great fairs established, 
and crime was but little known. The Chow dynasty began 
1122 B. C, and continued nine hundred years. The founder 
of this dynasty was brave and good, but he broke up the 
kingdom into seventy-two provinces, which he gave to rel- 
atives and to deserving soldiers. Thus began the feudal 
system, with its splendid castles and noble princes, and its 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 



feasts and ceremonies. Glitter and show abounded, followed 
by jealousies and wars between the rival provinces. This 
state of things could not last always, and so, in 255 B. C, a 
new dynasty arose. This feudal period covers the period 
of classical China, for then ai'ose the three great wise men, 
of whom Confucius is the chief. They labored, but in vain, 
to check the downward progress of the nation. 

In 246 B. C. Che Hwang-te ascended the throne at the age 
of thirteen, and became "the first universal emperor." He 
was one of the greatest rulers of the empire. He built a 
splendid palace, laid out roads and canals, abolished the 
feudal system, put down rebellion, and with a great army 
inflicted a crushing blow upon the terrible Tartars. His 
monument is the gigantic wall which he began, but did not 
live to complete. Though a king, he was also a reformer. 
He was too great a man for power to make him conserva- 
tive. To destroy the bigotry for the past he ordered the 
destruction of the old histories. Amid the violent oppo- 
sition which this measure called forth he died, and left the 
kingdom to a worthless son. Rebellion followed, and a new 
dynasty was established. 

It would be tedious and useless to recount the struggles 
between rival factions. The period of the Han dynasty 
(206 B. C.-23 A. D.) was a brilliant one. Paper was in- 
vented, libraries founded, and the system of competitive 
examination for political offices was introduced. This sys- 
tem gives power to the people, for it opens the way for the 
poorest lad to rise, not by favor, but by merit. 

The Tang dynasty was memorable, (618-905.) The em- 
pire stretched from the Caspian Sea to the Pacific Ocean ; 
embassies from far-off nations gathered at the court, and 
the art of printing by blocks led to the golden age of liter- 
ature. Arab merchants settled in Chinese ports, and the 
religion of Mohammed took deep root. 

Then appears Jenghiz Khan, (1160,) who l-anks among 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 



the greatest soldiers that has ever lived. He came from 
Japan, and led a Mongolian army in triumph over Central 
Asia, destroying hostile cities and spreading desolation. 
His triumph was complete, and he established the Mongol 
dynasty on the dragon throne. In 1215 his grandson, Kublai 
— -the "Great Khan" — assumed sovereign power. His vir- 
tues are extolled by Marco Polo, whose travels in China did 
much to make that land known to Europe. At this time 
the nation reached its highest point, and carried on a brisk 
trade with Venice and Genoa. But it was never forgotten 
that the Mongolian rulers were foreigners, and their power 
came to an end. The Ming dynasty followed, (1368-1628,) 
and friendly relations with foreigners were cultivated. Stu- 
dents from Corea, Japan, and Siam flocked to the university 
at Nanking. 

Then came the Manchoo Tartars, who swept over the 
country, captured Peking, and established the Ta-tsing or 
" Great Pure" dynasty, (1644,) which continues down to the 
present time, The national head-dress was the long cue, 
("pig-tail,") which the Chinese wear as a badge of loyalty. 
The present ruler is in his minority, which is a pity, as the 
empire needs a ruler of wisdom and strength to guide it in 
the new channel into which it is being driven by the arts 
and civilization of Europe. 

Trouble arose between England and China because of the 
restrictions which the latter laid upon trade. The Mandarins 
bitterly complained of the introduction of opium, and de- 
manded that English merchants should not import it from 
India. War followed, and China was forced to grant the 
privilege. England obtains a large revenue from the opium 
trade ; but that trade is the curse of China, and is a strong 
barrier to the spread of Christian missions. 

In 1850 the Tai-ping rebellion broke out. A young man 
proclaimed that he was sent by heaven to put down the 
foreign dynasty, and to be himself the ruler. Crowds 



CHIXA AXD JAPAN. 



flocked to his standard, and it was only after twelve years 
of war and the destruction of much life and property that 
this formidable rebellion was put down. 

What the history of China will be within the next fifty 
years cannot be told. The government resists innovations. 
Fear has made her adopt European methods in the army 
and navy, and a desire to protect her interests has led her 
to appoint legations to foreign countries. The example of 
Japan is not without effect. The rulers have yielded, and 
must yield more. When a system of railroads is completed 
— as it will be — this ancient land will double its wealth and 
enter upon a new career in its civilization. 

The People. — The total population of China proper is 
about four hundred millions. The people belong to the 
Mongolian variety of the human race. The skin is yellow, 
the hair black and coarse, the eyes oblique, and the cheek 
bones high and prominent. The race is un warlike, fond of 
peace, loving home, and given to mercantile and literary 
pursuits. The crowded condition of the country has forced 
the people to habits of rigid economy. It costs but little 
for the poorer classes to live; for their wants are few and 
easy to satisfy. Rice is their main article of food ; their 
clothing is of the cheapest kind, and they dwell in crowded 
apartments. They rarely drink strong liquors, but are given 
to the use of opium. Gambling is among their vices ; and 
they are fond of the drama, wdiich is, however, in a rude 
state. They are patient workmen, and show great skill in 
their various manufactures. They love their land, and if 
they leave it, hope soon to return. They are an educated 
people after their fashion. They study the "Nine Classics," 
and through life regulate their conduct by the " Book of 
Rites." Form and ceremony make up their public life, and 
titles of honor are abundant. 

Women occupy an inferior position. Girls are taught to 



CHINA AND JAPAN 



sew and cook, and are taught but little else. They are 
married early in life, and all the details of the marriage 
ceremony are arranged by professional match-makers. The 
custom of binding the feet dates back from the ninth cent- 
ury, and grew into a fashion, quite as absurd though not 
as injurious to health as some of the fashions of Europe 
and America. 

The Chinaman endures pain without much show of feel- 
ing, and meets death with apparent unconcern. He is 
strangely anxious about the details of his funeral. He is 
pleased when his children present him with a beautiful coffin 
for his future use. He desires to have sons who will, after 
he is dead, perform the customary sacrifices at his tomb ; for 
he thinks that on these the peace of his soul depends. 

The strongest and best feature in Chinese life is the rever- 
ence which children have for their parents. It is a reverence 
taught by law and strengthened by religion. It also is a rever- 
ence prompted by affection, and it lasts through life. The 
married son who lives under his father's roof abides by his 
father's decision. The family tie is strong, and this is the 
reason why the nation has been so enduring. In this respect 
the example set by China is fair to look upon, and is worthy 
of imitation. 

Language and Literature. — The language of China is in a 
primitive form. The words are of one syllable, and without 
grammatical inflation. There is no alphabet, and thought is 
expressed on paper by thousands of distinct symbols. The 
growth of the language was checked by the production of 
those great literary works which are standards among the 
people. Legends differ as to who was the first inventor of 
writing in China. The first characters were simply rude 
pictures of the objects to be represented. These characters 
were then combined, and then put in different positions to 
express different meanings ; as, for example, a circle above a 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 



straight line meant sunrise, or dawn; and the character for 
hand, made in one direction means " right," and in the op- 
posite direction means " left." But inventive genius failed 
to make as many characters as there were ideas, so certain 
arbitrary marks were adopted to represent certain sounds, 
and these, with all their combinations, amount to 20,000. 
Two words are put together to express an idea not ex- 
pressed by either separately, as, in English, Ave say inkstand 
and steam-boat. There are six styles of writing the Chinese 
characters, and these vary in legibility, and are sometimes 
made more obscure by the artistic flourishes of skillful pen- 
men. While there are 30,000 characters in the language, 
they are represented to the ear by only 500 syllabic sounds. 
A difficulty arises as how to use so few sounds so as to ex- 
press so many characters. One way, and a very puzzling 
way to a foreigner, is to express different meanings by 
different intonations. This requires a practiced ear and a 
practiced tongue. The literature which has molded the 
mind of China is comprised in the " Nine Classics." One 
of these is the " Book of History," edited by Confucius from 
ancient writings. It contains a record of the old dynasties, 
and is regarded by the Chinese as the foundation of their 
political system and of much of their knowledge. It con- 
sists of a series of conversations between the king and his 
ministers. The "Book of Rites" has dune more than any 
other book to make China what it was and is. It regulates 
the whole public and private life of the people, and its rules 
make the people one, and fetter freedom of thought and ac- 
tion. The "Spring and Summer Annals " were written by 
Confucius. This work is a disappointment, and is inferior 
to the four books which were written by his disciples. The 
" Nine Classics " have no great literary merit, and cannot 
take rank with the immortal works of the great Greek and 
Roman authors. They lack imagination, and have little 
broad and generous thought. The spirit of them all is 



CHINA AND JAPAN 9 

" Walk in the trodden paths," and for this reason his teach- 
ings have been popular with rulers who believed in keeping 
things as they are. The commentaries upon these " Nine 
Classics " are numberless, and in the main worthless. But 
the influence of these Classics has been immense, and so far 
enduring. Every child is taught them, and every man who 
seeks office is required to pass an examination upon them. 
Their publication led to the invention of paper and of print- 
ing. Had they been works of genius, instead of compilations 
or rules for living, their influence could not have been so 
wide-spread, but in the end would have been more beneficial. 
It is better to awaken the human mind than to try to satisfy it. 
There are also works on geography and history, and some 
encyclopedias. In the " Book of Odes " is found the early 
ballads and songs composed in the feudal days, before the 
people were one nation. The novels are of inferior value. 
Dramatic literature abounds, as the theater is national and 
religious. The people flock to it, and it is under the direct 
control of the law. It seems strange, therefore, that the 
plays should be so rude, and so little attention should be 
paid to stage decorations. To sum up this paragraph — the 
literature of China does not rank high among the literatures 
of the world. This comes partly from the fact that the im- 
agination has not been cultivated, that the language is not 
flexible, and that China hits not had its mind kindled and 
strengthened with the works of the great poets, historians, 
and philosophers of Greece, Rome, and England. 

Government. — The government is a patriarchal despotism. 
The family idea is carried into the State, and the emperor is 
the father of his people. He has great power over his 
children — even the power of life and death. The people 
are to submit, except where his conduct is such that he 
ceases to be— as it were — a father to them, and then they 
can rebel. He is the " Son of heaven," and offers sacrifices 



10 . CHINA AND JAPAN. 

for the people. His life is, however, hampered by a vast 
number of regulations, and every official action is to be done 
according to precedent. He is aided by his official cabinet. 
Among the high officers are the Censors, who criticise the 
actions of the officials, and sometimes bring such as do 
wrong to justice. The provinces of the empire are mainly 
self-governed, though they must pay an annual tribute to 
the central government at Peking. Mandarins are dis- 
tinguished in rank by the color of the button on the top of 
the cap, and there are nine colors to mark the nine ranks. 
The "peacock feather" is eagerly sought for, and is given 
only to men of greatest merit. The system of government 
is in theory excellent, but in practice defective. The 
Mandarins are underpaid and hence are willing to receive 
from the officials under them " presents " — that is, bribes. 
Examinations for office are often unfairly conducted, and 
money, not merit, opens the way. The eagerness for office 
causes a large class of aspirants to live on others for support. 
Corruption has tainted both the rulers and those who are 
ruled. Truth is not heeded, and hence the courts of justice 
resort sometimes to torture — mainly by flogging. The 
punishments are cruel. Death is inflicted by strangling and 
beheading ; and though the latter is the less painful of the 
two methods, it is shunned as the more disgraceful. 

Religions. — The oldest religion held forth the idea of a 
Supreme Being and a vast number of inferior gods. It 
paved the way for Buddhism, which was introduced from 
India during the first century of the Christian era. The 
people were prepared for it by the teachings of the sages, 
and it spread rapidly, and became the chief religion. It has 
many temples, and a large number of priests of both sexes ; 
and, with the people generally, it has sunk into a coarse idol- 
atry. Taoism was founded by one of the reformers and 
teachers who lived 500 B. C. It teaches that the highest 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 11 

aim of man is to enjoy life, and also the doctrine of attend- 
ant spirits. The system of Confucius is, however, that 
which is followed by all the learned classes, and at stated 
periods they assemble in temples to read and expound his 
writings. Confucius taught nothing new, but gathered and 
gave currency to the old traditions. The mass of the peo- 
ple do not make much distinction between the religions, but 
worship in any temple which suits their convenience. On 
one point they attach great importance, and that is to the 
worship of their ancestors. They worship and offer incense 
before the ancestral tablets. 

In 1807 Protestant missions were established. Rev. Robert 
Morrison went to Canton and translated the Bible into the 
Chinese language. Missions from the United States were 
established in 1829, and by the treaty of 1842 five new ports 
were opened to the Gospel. All the leading denominations 
are now represented in China, and the increase of converts 
is encouraging. The mission of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church was started in 1846, and is steadily growing in 
numbers and in influence. The prospects for the Christian 
Church are bright, and at the present rate of increase China 
will be a Christian nation during the next, century. 

JAPAN. 

After a voyage of three weeks on the Pacific Ocean the 
steamer from San Francisco enters the port of Yokohama. 
Here the tourist takes the cars, and after a journey of eight- 
een miles enters Tokio, the capital of Japan. This great 
city is the best place in which to study the history, customs, 
and art of the most enterprising people of the East. 

Japan. — The Empire of Japan consists of a long chain of 
islands near the eastern coast of Asia. The total number 
of these is more than 3,000. Many of them are merely 
barren rocks ; but four are large and fertile. The shape of 



13 CHINA AND JAPAN 

Hondo (main island) is that of a crescent. There is a long 
line of sea-coast, with numerous capes, bays, and inlets. The 
country is hilly, the streams small, but violent in the rainy 
season ; and there are several lakes, one of which is remark- 
able for the beauty of its banks. There is a mountain which 
rises more than 1 2,000 feet, and in shape like a cone. This 
mountain is regarded as sacred, and pilgri mages are made to 
its summit. 

The mineral wealth of the country is great for its size. 
Gold, silver, coal, and iron are found, and copper is specially 
abundant. From this last metal the current coinage is 
made, and a vast variety of articles for use in the house and 
in the temple. The bronze work of Japan is in demand in 
the markets of the world. 

The country is rich in vegetation. The timber is fine, and 
some of the great roads are well shaded with maples and 
pines. All the fruits of the tropics are found here, and 
among the vegetables cultivated are sweet potatoes, toma- 
toes, radishes, and rice. The two latter form the chief 
articles of food with the lower classes, and from rice is 
brewed an acid liquor which is the national beverage. The 
domestic animals are the same as those found in other 
lands ; the wild birds are of many varieties, and some adorned 
with beautiful plumage; and the fisheries along the coast 
are very productive. 

The roads through the empire have improved within re- 
cent years. There are two lines of railway, and others are 
projected. High roads connect the large cities and numerous 
towns; and stages traverse them. In the large towns the 
public cabs are drawn by men. 

The cities of Japan are three in number: Tokio, (formerly 
called Yedo,) Ozaka, and Kioto. The last-named was the 
ancient capital, and is in the midst of beautiful scenery. It 
has many temples, and was for centuries the home of litera- 
ture, art, and religion. The old imperial palace is now a 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 13 

museum, with magnificent paintings, and works in bronze 
and porcelain. The growth of Tokio has been rapid in re- 
cent years, and it has been since 1868 the residence of the 
emperor. The city is nine miles long and eight miles wide, 
and one eighth of this area is occupied by rivers and canals. 
The population is about thirty-five millions. The country 
is in the main well governed, and special attention is given 
to education. The people in the rural districts are poor, 
and the wealth of the country is not as great as was ex- 
pected when it was first opened to commerce. The public 
spirit shown by the rulers is worthy of all praise. They 
have been quick to adopt the best features of the Western 
nations with whom they have recently come in contact. 

History. — Legends declare that the people of Japan are 
of divine origin. Their real origin is uncertain. They 
probably came from the north-eastern highlands of Asia, 
settled first at Corea, and thence entered Japan. These 
settlers found a wild native race, and gradually subdued, 
and perhaps absorbed, them. The emperor ("Mikado") 
held his court at the present city of Kioto, and around him 
grew a class of military leaders, who made war, and then 
had the lands they won divided among them. This gave 
rise to the feudal system, with its castles, its wealthy and 
often tyrannical few, and its many serfs. Then arose rival- 
ries, jealousies, and long and bloody wars between the heads 
of noble families until, in 1180, Yoritomo, an able soldier, 
arose, triumphed over his foes, and appointed military in- 
stead of civil rulers over the most troublesome districts. 
The emperor gave him the title of " Shogun," which means 
the " rebel-subduing general." The result was he rose to a 
dangerous equality with the emperor himself, and there 
were two rulers — the one a ruler in name, and the other in 
fact. The one had the titles and had his court at Kioto; and 
the other had the military power and lived at Tokio. This 



14 CHIXA AND JAPAN. 

double rulership lasted until 1868, when the nobles nnd peo- 
ple together cried out against the despotism of the Shogun, 
(the military chief,) declared him to be a usurper, banished 
him, and proclaimed the Mikado (the emperor) to be the 
sole ruler of the civil and military power of the empire. 
This great event marks a new period in the history of 
Japan. 

The policy of seclusion dates from 1637. Up to that time 
the Jesuits had been welcomed, and thousands had professed 
the Christian faith. But the Jesuits prompted the converts 
to rise against the government, and this rebellion was put 
down after terrible slaughter. Japan then closed her ports 
to the hateful foreigners, and kept them closed for two 
hundred and twenty years. At present the ruling j^owers 
welcome the civilization of Europe, and are willing both to 
give and receive. 

Literature and Art. — From the eighth to the twelfth cent- 
uries was the golden age of literature. Wars abounded, 
but at the capital — Kioto — scholars and writers were found. 
Among the best works of that period are those written by 
women. Poetry has always been a favorite study, and verse- 
making seems to be an art greatly coveted. There are 
many histories of the empire, and geographies and guide- 
books are numerous. The dramatic literature is poor, and 
the novels are of the sensational school. The newspaper 
press is a modern growth, and is hampered by government 
restrictions. 

The wonderful art of Japan first became known to the 
world at the London Exhibition, in 1862, and since then art 
goods are found in all the great cities. The genius of the 
artists is imitative rather than imaginative, and their skill 
is unsurpassed. Their art is purely decorative, and has 
stopped short of the development of other nations. What 
the Japanese know how to do, they know how to do well, 



CHINA AND JAPAN. 15 



and some of their processes are still a mystery to Western 
nations. Their porcelain and lacquer ware and their bronze 
work are indeed a study, and their choice designs for wall 
paper and for textile fabrics have found in Europe and in 
America a host of eager imitators. 

Religions. — The most ancient religion is Sintoism, which 
is founded on the worship of spirits, which are said to con- 
trol the actions of men. There is the " Great Spirit of 
Heavenly Light," who receives the highest adoration; and 
a vast number of inferior deities. It has five com- 
mandments, one of which teaches purity of soul, and an- 
other the importance of pilgrimages. Fire is an emblem of 
purity. 

Buddhism, whose native home is India, was introduced, 
about 532, from Corea. It rose to vast power, and its priests 
led armies in the field. As a result Buddhism was assailed in 
turn, and is now declining. As in China so in Japan, the 
educated classes follow, in the main, the teachings of Con- 
fucius. 

In 1549 the Jesuit Francis Xavier visited Japan. Missions 
were established, until the Jesuits were suppressed and their 
followers destroyed. Protestant missions were started in 
1859. The Bible is now translated and is circulated among 
the people, and there are several thousand members of the 
various Churches. The work has been hindered by the 
jealousy of the government, which remembers what Jesuit- 
ism was, but this jealousy is fading, and there is in this 
interesting land a bright future for the Church of Christ. 

NOTES. 

Confucius did not claim to be the founder of a religion, 
but a teacher and a reformer. He abounds in short quaint 
sayings, which the people know by heart. We append a 
few of his celebrated maxims: 



10 CHINA AND JAPAN. 



"Do not to others what you would not wish done to you." 

" What the superior man seeks is in himself ; what the 
small man seeks is in others." 

"Learning undigested by thought is labor lost; anil 
thought unaided by learning is perilous." 

" In style all that is required is to convey the meaning." 

" A poor man who does not flatter and a rich man who is 
not proud are worthy of praise." 

" Man is greater than any system of thought." 

"The cautious seldom err." 

Such sentences as the above have done much to form and 
make permanent the character of the Chinese. 

Mencius was the second of the two sages of China. He 
laj r s great stress on inherent goodness, and the power of 
man to make himself right. He says little about God or 
heaven. Here are some of his maxims and illustrations: 

" If a man make his heart right, there is little else for him 
to do." 

"The great man is he who does not lose the heart of a 
child." 

" Good government is feared by the people ; good instruc- 
tion is loved by them." 

" Man tends to good as water tends to flow downward." 

"Death in the discharge of duty may be ascribed to the 
will of heaven." 

"I like life and I like righteousness; but if I cannot keep 
both, I will let the life go." 

"No man can bend himself and at the same time keep 
others straight." 

" To dig a well and stop before you reach the spring is to 
throw away the well." 

" People cannot live without fire and water, and they are 
abundant, and so a wise king is he who will cause grain to 
be as abundant as they." 



CHINA AKTID TJ±.^>J±.lsr. 

[THOUGHT OUTLINE TO HELP THE MEMORY.] 

1. Canton. Size? Population? Junks? Temples? 1634? 1607? 1834? 1842? 

2. -Empire. Extent? Plain and rivers ? Productions? Minerals? "The Sor- 

row of China?" Canals? The " Great Highway ? " The " Great Wall? " 

3. History. Fables? Yaou? Confucius? Chow dynasty? " The First Uni- 

versal Emperor?" His work? Hau dynasty? Tang;? Jenghiz Khan? 
1215? 1644? National head-dress ? England and China ? Tin-ping re- 
„u 

4. People. Population? Characteristics? Vices? Woman? Funeral? Rev- 

erence for parents. 

5. Language and Literature. Peculiarities? 30,000? 500? Nine classics? 

Merit? 

6. Government. Family idea Censors? Mandarins? Peacock feather? Cor- 

ruption in politics ? 

7. Religion. Oldest? Buddhism? Taoism? Confucius? Protestant missions ? 

8. Japan. Islands— 3,000. Mineral Wealth? Vegetation? Roads? Cities? 

Government? History? Literature and Art? Religion? Xavier? Prot- 
estants ? 



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